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Day 6 of the O Circuit in Torres del Paine is one of the most spectacular and flexible days of the trek.
We begin Day 6 of the O Circuit with a hike between Paine Grande Sector and Francés Sector, although some hikers continue on to the Cuernos Sector. Here’s what to expect on this stage:
📌 Summary of Day 6 – Circuit O Torres del Paine
- 🥾 Total distance: 17.08 miles (27.5 km)
- ⏱️ Walking time: 7 hours
- 🕒 Total duration of the day: 10 hours
- 📈 Positive elevation gain: 3228,35 ft (984 m)
- 📉 Negative vertical drop: 3090 ft (942 m)
- ⚠️ Difficulty: Medium-high
- 🔗 View route on Wikiloc
Wake Up and Decide: To the Valley or Not?
This day can be as challenging or as relaxed as you make it. The base hike between campsites is fairly short, but it can be extended with an optional trek into French Valley (Valle Francés).
Like many travelers, we chose to leave our large backpacks at the CONAF post in Campamento Italiano, where there’s a designated area for storing gear. This way, we could explore the valley with just a light daypack.
The trekking through the valley has a first stop at the French viewpoint, located 3 km from the CONAF post and with a positive difference in altitude of 300 meters. I would say that almost all the people we meet on the route reach this point. We ascend thinking about the views that we will have of the glaciers that can be seen from this viewpoint, but the surprise was that the views of Lake Nordenskjöld are even more impressive.
Feeling Adventurous? Push On to Mirador Británico
Some decide to return and others, however, continue ascending the valley up to the British Lookout. This last stretch is a little more difficult, as it is 4 km and another 250 meters up, a distance that obviously has to be doubled as it is then time to return, so in total we are talking about the French valley is a total distance of 14 km with more than 550 meters of vertical drop.
Patagonian wind and final stretch next to the lake
Throughout the day, the weather was marked by strong gusts—classic summer wind in Patagonia.
After retrieving our backpacks, we paused to eat and recharge before continuing the final 5 km stretch along the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld, until reaching the Cuernos Sector, where we spent the night.
Tips for Circuit o – day 6:
- Carry a small backpack for the French Valley.
- Start early to have time to go up to the British Lookout.
- Take care of your knees: the descent of the valley is long.
- Protect yourself from the wind with a good windbreaker or technical jacket.
What about Day 7 of the O Circuit?
As usual in the O Circuit, after an intense day comes a more relaxed one: Day 7 of the O Circuit. Are you ready?
